A Preliminary Examination is a legal process that occurs in criminal cases to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. During this examination, a judge reviews the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense. The goal is to assess if there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the accused, often referred to as the defendant, is responsible. If the judge finds sufficient evidence, the case moves forward to trial. If not, the charges may be dismissed. This process helps ensure that only cases with adequate evidence are brought before a jury, protecting the rights of the defendant.